Free attractions, free parades, free festivals, free museums, free family activities, and free things to do in Minneapolis, St. Paul and around the Twin Cities.
1. Free Beer and Free Wine
Take a brewery tour, and sample some Summit beer at the Summit Brewery in St. Paul on selected Saturdays. Reservations are required for tours.The Surly brewery in Brooklyn Center has free tours, often with Surly beer samples, on Friday nights. Reserve a spot on a tour at Surly's website.
Another St. Paul brewery, the Flat Earth Brewing Co, has monthly free tours and tastings.
The Four Firkins, an amazing specialty beer store in St. Louis Park has regular beer tastings.
Free wine tasting are held at several local stores. Trader Joe's hold weekly wine tastings at their St. Louis Park and Woodbury stores. Surdyk's, the liquor store and deli, has regular free wine and beer tastings.
2. Free Museums, Galleries and Attractions
Many Minneapolis and St. Paul museums, galleries and attractions are free to visit, and many others have one or two days a month when admission is free. Here's where you can go and see gardens, art, animals, and history in Minneapolis and St. Paul for free.3. More Free Places to Visit
Many Twin Cities landmarks are open to the public. Here's a couple that are free to visit.
The Guthrie Theater is a stunning building inside and out, for the glass floors, the intriguing spaces, and the wonderful Endless Bridge over the Mississippi River.
The Minnesota State Capitol gives regular free tours of the Capitol building, chambers, artworks, and weather permitting, the tours visit the golden horses on the Capitol's roof.
And in view of the Capitol, the Cathedral of St. Paul is also free to visit. There's a great view of St. Paul from the Cathedral's steps.
4. The Museum Adventure Pass: More Free Attractions
Your local library offers free days out with the Museum Adventure Pass. Visit the library to check out a pass, which admits two or four people to one of the participating destinations. Attractions change every year but currently include the Walker Art Center and Fort Snelling. All the public libraries in the Twin Cities metro area are participating, and any library member can get a free pass.5. Free Music, Movies, Plays and Comedy
Every summer, starting in June, parks across Minneapolis and St. Paul show movies, hold concerts, and put on plays. There's something happening every summer evening and weekend across the Twin Cities.6. Free Children's Activities
A list of places with free admission, places to see free shows and entertainment, free art activities, and more to entertain children.7. Free Furniture, Plants, Baby Toys, Snowblowers....
As the saying goes, one man's trash is another man's treasure. Several online message boards help residents of Minneapolis and St. Paul find new homes for unwanted items of all kinds. Scan the messages for a free item you need for an art or craft project, supplies for remodeling your home or garden, and lots of other projects.8. Free Yoga and Dance Classes
The Midtown Global Market in Minneapolis offers regular yoga and dance classes which are free to join. They are held right in the middle of the market so it helps if you don't mind an audience, and your frugal nature might be severely challenged by all the tempting food and wares for sale all around you!9. Free Festivals, Parades and Entertainment
The Twin Cities have a packed calendar of annual events from the Winter Carnival in January to the Holidazzle Parade in December, and many of Minneapolis' and St. Paul's most popular events are free to attend.10. Free Live Music
Record stores have regular free in-store concerts. The Electric Fetus has some of the biggest local acts, and the odd national act performing in store, with a couple of shows every month. Cheapo and Applause record stores hosts up-and-coming local artists. Fifth Element, the hip-hop record store run by local label Rhymesayers Entertainment has in-store performances from artists signed to the label.Local bars and clubs have live music with no cover charge, often midweek. The Fine Line Music Cafe has several free local music showcases every month.
11. More Free Music
For more refined ears, the Ted Mann concert hall has free concerts of jazz, opera, classical, chamber music and the like, from University of Minnesota music students.The Minneapolis Institute of Arts' Acoustic Sunrise concert series hosts an eclectic selection of area musicians in their coffee shop on Sunday lunchtimes.
12. Free Parks, Lakes, and Scenery
Minneapolis has more city parks than almost any other large city in the nation, and St. Paul also has several attractive parks and lakes. In Minneapolis, Lake Harriet and Minnehaha Park and Minnehaha Falls are great destinations for a walk, bicycle ride, or a summer picnic. In St. Paul, Como Park and Indian Mounds Park with it's ancient burial grounds and beautiful view of downtown St. Paul and the Mississippi River, are very popular.In the winter, local parks freeze ice rinks for free ice skating. Many local lakes are popular for ice skating, and any park with a hill turns into a sledding hill.
